Project management for small business (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of a complete guide to implementing effective project management in a small business.
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About this content
Learn about the main concepts of project management, what project managers do, and how your small business can benefit in this easy to understand guide.
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How project management can help your small business
Great products, services, and processes are at the heart of every successful small business. Developing your ideas into something that you can sell requires effort, discipline, and a guided framework to get things right: that framework is project management.
Project management can help you manage many aspects of your small business including product development, testing, customer service, advertising, marketing, payroll, and invoicing. Used well, it's an excellent way to refine, tweak, and create more effective and efficient ways of doing things.
Don't be put off by the rather grandiose title of project management; it's not something that should scare you. At a basic level, it’s really about applied common sense: knowing and planning what needs to happen when, who should do it, and what you expect the outcome to be.
In this article we'll explore some of the main concepts of project management in a small business including:
What is project management?
How does it all fit together?
What does a project manager do?
Tasks and to do lists
Resources and software applications for project management
Benefits you'll get from reading this article include:
Finding out about the key parts of a successful project
Learning how project and task management can help you achieve your business goals
Discovering how everything fits together
Download and try out software to help you with project and task management
What is project management?
Project management is a vast subject and there are hundreds of books, training courses, online resources, and methodologies dedicated to teaching people how to become good project managers. Although you’ll certainly learn a lot from reading books and getting training, there are some simple elements of project management that you can learn without formal courses.
Definitions of project management include:
“Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals.” - Wikipedia
“At its most fundamental, project management is about people getting things done.” - Association for Project Management
“It’s a temporary group activity designed to produce a unique product, service or result.” - Project Management Institute
Let's explore some of the key elements that make something a project. Projects are:
Temporary
Unique
Constrained
Planned
A series of steps
Outcome based
A project is temporary and doesn't go on indefinitely
Projects don't last forever (although some of the bigger ones can take years). Projects should have a defined beginning, when work starts, and a planned end, when work is delivered and everyone is (hopefully) happy with the results.
Projects are unique, not business as usual
There are generally two types of business activities - business as usual and projects:
Business as usual - Ongoing business functions and processes that need to take place for a business to function (e.g. manufacturing, administration, financial control, employee processes, customer services).
Projects - A project has unique outcomes. It doesn't produce the same things time after time, but has distinct inputs (time, money, requirements, resources), processes (planning, project management, analysis, testing, implementation etc.), and outputs (milestones and deliverables).
Projects are constrained by time, resources, and scope
A project is constrained or bounded by several areas:
Time - Most projects have to deliver something in a planned, specific amount of time.
Budget / Resources - There is only a finite amount of money or other resources that can be spent on a project.
Scope - The scope details exactly what areas a project will affect, what it will deliver, and is generally what the project is setting out to accomplish.
These three things together are known as the OTOBOS triangle - On Time, On Budget, On Scope - and if you can deliver a project to those three things, you are doing well!
At the center of the OTOBOS triangle is quality and you generally can't affect one point of the triangle (e.g. time), without also affecting the quality of the project (for good or bad). You can mitigate this by changing one of the other points of the triangle; for example, if you reduce the time, you can maintain quality by also reducing scope or by increasing resources.
Projects are planned
All successful projects have a plan, created at the beginning of the project and regularly reviewed and updated as the project continues. The plan will normally show:
What needs to be accomplished (scope, outcomes, and quality).
Key deliverables (what's being created) and milestones (goals and deadlines).
Who is performing the various tasks (resources).
Time expected to be taken (cost and hours spent).
What is happening and when (timing).
Dependencies (if something relies on something else being completed).
Project plans can be as simple as a document that lists everything, as complicated as a repository of documents, or anywhere in between, as long as it serves your purpose. Project management software will often output project plans as Gantt charts.
Projects are a series of steps
A project will always have more than one task that needs to be accomplished, with larger deliverables and tasks split up into smaller and smaller tasks. As an example, if you were creating a project to move house, you might have part of it that looks like this. [image removed]
The more you can break down a project into deliverables, those deliverables down into tasks, and those tasks down into sub-tasks, the more control you will have and ultimately the more likely your project will be successful.
Projects are outcome based
Projects are designed, created, and managed to achieve change and add value. If a project doesn't achieve one or both of those objectives, it probably isn't worth doing.
Examples of outcomes a project might help with are:
Advertising for, interviewing, and taking on a new employee.
Decorating your office space.
Creating a more efficient invoicing and financial management process.
Prototyping and testing a new product idea.
Developing effective customer service processes.
And many more...
How does it all fit together?
This picture illustrates how project managers, tasks, and projects fit together to deliver your desired outcome. [image removed]
What does a project manager do?
The responsibilities of a project manager can vary widely, but in general they are responsible for:
Planning a project, reviewing that plan, and ensuring it goes ahead.
Organizing resources, people, and budget so that what needs to happen is achieved when it needs to be by the people who need to do it.
Managing people, processes, and other aspects to ensure successful delivery of a project.
Leading by example and working to remove barriers, risks, and issues that prevent the project achieving what it needs to.
Delegating appropriately to other areas.
Controlling different aspects of the project and keeping things on track.
Communicating with stakeholders, people impacted by the project, and people working on the project.
Reporting on what the project is going to do, how it is progressing, and what it has achieved.
Understanding what you want to achieve
This is about defining what your project is setting out to do, specifically:
What does the outcome of your project look like?
What type of service, product, or process are you trying to create?
How will you be able to tell if you've been successful?
What is the scope of what you are trying to do?
Estimating the resources that you will need
You'll need to accurately understand and obtain the resources (people, money etc.) you will need:
Do you need someone else to help you achieve this outcome or will you do it yourself?
How will you find the right people to help you?
Will you need to spend money to achieve it, and if so, how much?
What other resources might be needed?
Calculating how long things will take
Working to the right timescales is essential, so calculate how long the various tasks and activities in your project will take:
How long, from beginning to end, should the project take?
What are the key dates and milestones in the life of the project that you would like to reach?
At what points will you review the progress of the project?
How will you tell if the project is still on track to deliver?
Planning the project out and breaking it down into tasks
You'll need to plan out the various outcomes, deliverables, milestones, tasks, and sub-tasks that need to be accomplished:
What is the overall aim of the project?
What are the main things you need to deliver and when?
How can you break these deliverables down into distinct tasks?
How can you break those tasks down further, into sub-tasks?
These discrete steps and tasks need to occur in a specified order for you to achieve your outcome. Each of these tasks will accomplish a specific thing, which together will deliver your project.
Delegating and doing
Once all the planning is done, the project will get underway. You’ll need to carry out the tasks yourself or delegate them. Keeping track of these tasks, who is doing them, how, and when is a critical part of being a good project manager:
Who is the best person to do this work?
Do you have their agreement and commitment to complete the work?
How will you track who is doing what?
Ensuring quality
You will need to be sure that whatever the project is delivering, it is of the right quality. This means knowing what is good enough for you to achieve what you want and sufficiently controlling the project to achieve that quality:
What measures are you using to ensure a good quality outcome?
How do you test for quality?
What does a successful outcome look like?
If something is delivered that isn't of a high enough quality, how will you manage it?
Managing problems
All projects hit problems and snags. The unexpected or unplanned is a fact of life; reacting to these curve-balls in a realistic way and keeping the project on track will help you achieve your goals.
How can you understand the risks and issues you might encounter?
How will you manage risks and issues that might impact on your project?
Tracking progress
Reviewing and keeping an eye on progress will ensure you’re able to keep moving your project forward.
How often will you review your project plan and progress toward outcomes?
How will you track activities and keep things moving forward?
Communicating your project
Since communicating is essential to delivering a successful project, the groups you'll want to communicate with are:
People working on the project - If it's not just you involved, you'll need to make everyone aware of the goals and tasks expected of them during the project.
Your audience / customers - If the project is going to affect a group of people or your customers (internal or external) you will need to keep them informed.
Stakeholders - Anyone else who has a vested interest in the outcome of the project is a stakeholder. They might be supplying money or resources or be impacted by what the project is delivering. They can also be powerful decision makers.
How do tasks and to do lists fit in with project management?
Despite all of the responsibilities of a project manager and the varying degrees of complexity around managing projects, at the most basic level a project is simply a series of tasks that need to be completed to achieve a desired outcome.
Tasks and to do lists are the building blocks of getting stuff done. This means that having an effective way to capture everything you need to do, knowing when it needs to be done, and who is going to do it becomes a critical part of running a successful project.
Some of the software shown below [removed] is great for overall project management, while some of it is good for task management. Ultimately, you should try the software out to see what works best with your approach. There are some good business software solutions to help you plan, track, and manage your projects, tasks, and to do lists so that you can deliver what you need to, with the minimum of fuss.
It's true that project management can be a lot of work, and there are many different approaches you can take. Some aspects of what I've discussed here will work for project management in your small business, some of it might not.
The key to be a successful project manager is objectivity, planning, communicating, and understanding what you want to achieve. If you can accomplish that, you're already on your way to delivering a successful project.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Marketing principles to grow your business (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on using marketing techniques to increase your chances of success and help your business prosper.
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It can be useful to understand exactly how my proofreading and editing services can help you. Below, you’ll find an article that I copy edited and proofread to give you an idea of how I can enhance your content. Please have a read, and if you like the content then please get in touch or get a quote.
About this content
In an increasingly competitive landscape, it's vital that your business stands out. There are several powerful marketing techniques that you can use right now to increase your chances of success and help your business prosper. In this article we explore the importance of building your audience early, increasing trust with your customers, working with complementary businesses and continual improvement.
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As a small business owner or entrepreneur, you know how competitive business can be. Whether you're running a business website or a traditional brick and mortar store, you need to stand out in a very crowded marketplace.
There's so much choice that attracting a customer to your business and encouraging them to buy your products or services is getting increasingly difficult. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that you can take that will help you find your place.
Here are five simple principles that you can put in place right now to help you grow your business:
Start building your audience early.
Increase trust with your customers.
Make your customers your advocates.
Find complementary businesses and work with them.
Remember that you can only improve what you can measure.
We'll cover each of these in more detail.
Start building your audience early
You want to start telling people about your business as early as you can. If you've not opened your business yet, you can involve them in the creation of your products and services as a beta tester and letting them tell you what they think. Help your potential customers to act as co-creators and they'll be happy to provide feedback and ideas. If you have opened your business, you can use product giveaways, discounted services, behind-the-scenes access, and other incentives to encourage and excite your customers.
The more engaged people feel, the more likely they are to want to be involved. If you're an online business, start collecting email addresses and encouraging people to like your social media accounts. If you're a traditional business, give people loyalty cards or find some other way of collecting their details.
Increase trust with your customers by creating a truly remarkable experience
Marketing doesn't stop with getting a customer to your website or into your store; it affects every aspect of your relationship with your customer, from first contact through purchase and beyond. This could include:
Their first impressions of your business and how that's created - This might include the ad copy you use, your SEO description on Google, your product description on the app store or the signage on your shop.
Their experience when they start interacting with your business - This might include browsing your website, looking through your store or using your app.
The purchasing experience as they buy a product or service - This might include how they're treated by your employees or their route through the ecommerce experience on your website.
The after sales experience - This might include how they receive a product or service from you, the customer service experience or how satisfying your products or services are to use.
Think about each of these as a customer would. Put yourself in their position and ask, "How could this be better?" and make those changes.
Make your customers your advocates
Your existing customers can be a great way to attract new business, if you give them the right incentive. This starts by giving them an excellent experience when they first use your business, and you can build on this through good marketing.
Encourage them to introduce your products and services to others by giving them a good reason to do so. This might include a discount on their next purchase, product giveaways, early access to a new service you're developing, the chance to win something or any other benefit that will improve their lives.
Find complementary businesses and work with them
You're going to have competitors, but you're also going to have other businesses that could complement yours. If you're a project management consultancy, you might find another business that produces a fantastic project management app. If you're a garden designer, there might be a great local architecture firm. Get in touch with these businesses and build a relationship with them. Provide introductory products and services to their customers or ask them to recommend you in their newsletter. You can return the favor and build up strong, ongoing partnerships that benefit both businesses.
Remember that you can only improve what you can measure
Look at the statistics, facts and figures behind your business to work out what they are telling you. If you're an online business, look at the analytics for your website. Find out where your visitors are coming from, the pages they are looking at and whether they are buying from you.
If you're running a store, look at how your customers browse through your goods, the types of questions they ask and how easy they can find what they're looking for.
You can run experiments to test all of these areas, and measure the results. You can continually tweak and refine how your customers interact with your business to make every aspect of them finding and buying what they are looking for as effortless and efficient as possible.
In closing
It's vital to give yourself every advantage in business. Putting your customers at the center of your marketing strategy, working with complementary businesses and making continual improvements will all help to enhance your business. In a competitive landscape, these simple, effective principles will improve your chances of success and help you prosper.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
What is a project management plan? (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on creating a project plan, a vital document that guides the overall management and successful running and delivery of a project.
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A project plan is a vital document that guides the overall management and successful running and delivery of a project. In this article we explore the various areas that together make up a project management plan.
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In project management, a project management plan is a very important document, created by the project manager and the project team. The plan is effectively the document that guides the project as a whole and contains details on various aspects of the project. A project management plan is normally created in the early stages and is consulted, reviewed, and revised throughout the life cycle of the project. Note that these types of plan apply mainly to traditional, waterfall-style projects.
A project management plan might be just one document or it could be a series of documents and “project artifacts” that together make up the plan. A project plan is used together with a project baseline to establish exactly what a project needs to do, how it is going to do it, and various other aspects important for the successful delivery of the project.
Typically, a project management plan contains the following:
Why the project exists - The various drivers and requirements that caused the project to be created in the first place. This could be the reason that new products or services are being created, techniques to avoid risks or unnecessary costs, and impacts on or a desire to improve a particular part of the business.
What the project is intended to do - The intended final outcome of the project, the types of solutions that will be created and the business requirements that the project is meant to address.
A definition of the project - A high-level overview of the scope, costs, budget, timescales, and quality requirements involved in the project.
When the project will delivered - The timescales of various milestones and outcomes delivery; a plan and schedule of when various tasks need to take place.
Who is responsible - The individuals, teams, and areas responsible for completing the various parts of the project.
How the project will deliver - The various frameworks, methodologies, techniques, and tool-kits that the project will use.
Current status - How the project is performing right now; progress made towards goals, resources used, as well as quality and scope.
Risk and issue management - The likelihood and impact of risks occurring and steps being taken to deal with outstanding issues.
Work that has been completed - Activities and tasks that have been carried out to take the project forward.
Work due to be completed - Planned work for the short, medium, and long term to complete the project.
The project plan provides a good basis for reporting, communications, and the smooth management of a project. It is the single most important document (or set of documents) for a project and is essential for the smooth running and delivery of a project so that it meets business needs and expectations.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
How to make money from a website (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on generating income from a website. Methods explored include display advertising, affiliate marketing, freelancing, and more.
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Generating an income from a website is a realistic goal for the dedicated entrepreneur or writer. This article explores the five main channels that you can use to create some revenue. Methods explored include display advertising, affiliate marketing, freelancing, and more.
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Making money online is an achievable goal for many entrepreneurs. There are several methods you can use to monetize a website, depending on how much work you want to put in. From the simplest to the most complicated, the various channels you can use to earn money include:
Display advertising
Affiliate marketing
Writing and freelancing
Selling your own product or service
Other methods
Display Advertising
The easiest way to make some money from a website is to publish ads that are relevant to your readers. The most popular display advertising network is Google AdSense. You can sign up for an account and begin publishing ads almost immediately. When a user visits your site and clicks on an ad, Google pays you part of the proceeds for that click. You do need lots of visitors to your site to make reasonable money from display advertising, but it is a passive way to earn income.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing means promoting and selling someone else's products and services. You can earn a commission from creating links and promoting products on your website. The most popular affiliate program is Amazon Associates, where you can earn between 4 percent and 8 percent of sales made through your links. There are several other large affiliate networks including Digital River, Clickbank, and Commission Junction. You do need to research and understand what you want to sell to ensure that you're promoting high-quality goods.
Writing and freelancing
If you can build up your authority and reputation, you could turn this into paying work in your area of expertise. You could be asked to review articles, create content, work on projects, and much more. The key to becoming a successful freelancer is to write original, insightful articles and to publicize your site through guest posting and getting exposure elsewhere.
Selling your own product or service
If you have something you can sell, this is a great way to monetize your site. You could create an eBook, software app, or other product or service. One of the main advantages is that you get to keep 100 percent of what you make; if you hit on a great niche product, you could earn a good income. Creating a product or service does need time, energy, and resources. It's important that you test the market for what you're planning to build before committing - you don't want to waste your time creating something that no one wants.
Other methods
Once you are well known in your field, you might get opportunities to speak at conferences, make presentations, or carry out consultancy work. If you can establish yourself as a trusted authority, you could easily make a living from your expertise. You'll need to create a good network and develop a reputation, but this is a great way to get involved in lots of interesting projects and see where your ideas and insight can take you.
Creating an authentic, trusted website with an original approach and fresh content is good for you and your readers. With the right amount of effort, you could turn that into a reasonable income.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Project management: How do "What If?" scenarios work? (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on managing risks, issues, and dependencies in an effective way through using project management “What If?” scenarios.
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It can be useful to understand exactly how my proofreading and editing services can help you. Below, you’ll find an article that I copy edited and proofread to give you an idea of how I can enhance your content. Please have a read, and if you like the content then please get in touch or get a quote.
About this content
Part of project management involves managing risks, issues, and dependencies in an effective way. This can be accomplished through using “What If?” scenarios. A comprehensive risk and issue management plan that includes these scenarios can help project managers and teams minimize disruptions to the project and help it deliver what it needs to.
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A significant part of project management is dealing with circumstances outside normal business operations. By its very nature, a project makes a number of changes to create new products, deliver new services, tweak business processes, or avoid problems.
Part of the successful management of a project is about dealing with risks, issues, and dependencies, and one of the best ways to do this is through “What If?” scenarios. In this article we'll explore what risks, issues, and dependencies are and how these scenarios can minimize a project’s impact and deliver on time, on budget, and in scope.
Risks, issues, and dependencies
What If? scenarios are focused on managing and mitigating risks, issues, and dependencies.
Risks - A project risk is something that has not happened yet, but could conceivably happen in the future and have a negative impact on the project.
Issues - An issue is something that has or is happening and is causing a negative impact on the project.
Dependencies - A dependency is a relationship between a project and something else that needs to take place for the project to be successful.
Risk, issue, and dependency management
Part of managing these three areas is having plans in place to deal with problems if and when they occur. Typically, a risk, issue, or dependency management plan will include the following:
A description of the risk, issue, or dependency.
The thing(s) that would need to happen to trigger the risk, issue, or dependency.
The likelihood of the risk, issue, or dependency happening.
The severity or impact of the risk, issue, or dependency on the project.
Actions that can be taken to minimize or remove the risk, issue, or dependency.
Resolving or mitigating risks, issues, and dependencies
If there is a negative impact on a project, there are a number of solutions that can be used to remove risks, issues, or dependencies, these include:
Putting a work-around in place - Creating a work-around so that the situation that caused the risk, issue, or dependency is avoided, minimizing the impact on the project. This is normally a temporary solution.
Fixing the underlying cause - Understanding the root cause that created the risk, issue, or dependency in the first place and fixing it.
Changing what the project is going to do - If the risk, issue, or dependency cannot be avoided, the activities, timescale, budget, or other parts of the project might be changed.
Remove the risk, issue, or dependency - If there is an option to remove the impact, through prioritization, changes, or other means, these can also be used.
What If? scenarios
A What If? scenario is simply predicting what might happen to cause a risk, issue, or dependency and having contingency plans in place to deal with it. Good project managers are able to pre-empt risks, issues, and dependencies that could occur and create What If? scenarios and mitigating actions that can be deployed quickly and effectively.
In closing
Managing risks, issues, and dependencies, especially using What If? scenarios is a crucial part of effective project management. A comprehensive risk and issue management plan can help project managers and teams minimize disruptions to the project and help it deliver what it needs to.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Guide to creating quality website content (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of a guide to developing great website content that will attract readers and encourage sharing.
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It can be useful to understand exactly how my proofreading and editing services can help you. Below, you’ll find an article that I copy edited and proofread to give you an idea of how I can enhance your content. Please have a read, and if you like the content then please get in touch or get a quote.
About this content
Great content is essential to the success of your website. This article explores some simple steps you can take to enhance your content. It includes advice on meeting the needs of your audience, getting their attention, being relevant and timely, and encouraging people to share. The article is written in an easy to understand way that lets you quickly create content that works.
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The success of your website depends on clear, relevant, useful content meeting the needs of your audience. It's the main factor search engines use when ranking websites, and good content will keep your visitors coming back. The best content:
Meets your audience's needs.
Grabs their attention.
Is easy to read and understand.
Stays relevant and timely.
Encourages people to share it.
Informs, educates, entertains, or inspires.
Great content meets the needs of your audience
Think about why visitors are coming to your website and what you offer. Provide clear, useful content to meet their needs, solve a problem, or provide help. Good content should inform, educate, entertain, or inspire your readers.
You need to get and hold your visitors’ attention
With so many competing websites, it's important to grab your visitors’ attention. Good design can guide your readers to your best content. Combine this with clear headings, a logical structure, and concise text to add value for your audience.
Ensure your content is easy to read and understand
Always create content with your audience in mind, and never assume they have the same level of knowledge as you. Your words should be easy to read and understand, so they're accessible to every visitor.
Keep your content relevant and timely
The best content is "evergreen." This means it's relevant whether a visitor is reading it now or a year or two in the future. It's important to update your website regularly and schedule new articles to publish. One of the signals search engines use is recency, so publishing often will help your search engine results.
Encourage people to share your content
After search engines, social media is the main way many websites get traffic. Make sure every page on your website has social media sharing buttons for the most popular social networks. A good headline and thumbnail image can increase the chances of your content getting shared.
Always include a privacy policy and terms
If you offer products or services to your customers, make sure you have comprehensive terms and conditions in place. Every website should also have a privacy policy explaining how you collect and use data from your visitors.
Inform, educate, entertain, or inspire.
One of the ways to create compelling content is to ask the question, "Will this inform, educate, entertain, or inspire my audience?" Good content should always achieve one of these goals, great content might achieve two or more.
Informative content
This type of content shares advice and information with your visitors. It's designed to increase knowledge and helps your audience explore different topics. This type of content often includes news, research, places, resources, products, services, and tools.
Educational content
Educational content often takes the form of "how to" guides and tutorials. It's designed to help people learn new skills and achieve specific tasks. This type of content often includes support articles, knowledge bases, online courses, and reviews.
Entertaining content
This type of content helps your visitors pass the time in an interesting and fulfilling way. Quizzes, games, humor, stories, videos, memes, and apps are all good examples of entertaining content.
Inspirational content
Finally, inspiring content often creates some type of emotional change in your visitor. This type of content is the most difficult to write, but it's also responsible for some of the most popular and shared stories. Inspiring content often takes the form of personal stories, opinion pieces, and creative writing.
It's worth spending time and resources to source and create great content. Search engines scan your content so they can show the most relevant websites to their visitors. Regularly publishing high-quality content is one of the best ways to get good rankings in search results. This will drive more visitors to your website.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Techniques for dealing with insomnia and sleeplessness (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of a guide to dealing with sleeplessness and insomnia.
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It can be useful to understand exactly how my proofreading and editing services can help you. Below, you’ll find an article that I copy edited and proofread to give you an idea of how I can enhance your content. Please have a read, and if you like the content then please get in touch or get a quote.
About this content
Insomnia and sleeplessness are chronic conditions that affect a large number of people. There are several simple steps that we can take to deal with insomnia before we need to turn to sleep medications. This article explores simple, effective techniques that people can use to help them get to sleep and stay asleep more easily. It covers areas including: what you can do during the day, developing an effective evening routine, and how to deal with insomnia and waking up at night.
Simple, effective techniques for dealing with insomnia and sleeplessness
Insomnia is a major problem for many people, with up to a third of adults reporting problems with sleeping at some point in their lives. Not being able to sleep at night can have a profound effect on our ability to function, our mood, and our long-term health. Fortunately, there are several simple techniques that insomniacs can try to get a better night's sleep.
Techniques to use during the day
Set an alarm at the same time each morning - An important part of dealing with insomnia is training your body when to go to sleep and when to wake up. This means that you should set an alarm for around 8 hours after you go to bed. Set the alarm for the same time each day and get out of bed when it goes off, even if you are tired.
Don't stay in bed or go back to sleep in the morning - Even if you had a bad night's sleep, don't be tempted to stay in bed and go back to sleep. Taking naps during the day will significantly affect your ability to get to sleep at night and will impact on your sleeping schedule.
Schedule 'worry' or 'thinking' time during the day - This may sound a little unusual, but one of the most common causes of insomnia is anxiety and turning things over in your mind. Because of this, having time each day that you can think about and try to solve your problems can help your brain to relax at night.
Increase your light exposure during the day - Exposure to natural daylight helps regulate your sleeping and waking cycles, so try to get outside for at least half an hour a day.
Take regular exercise - As well as being good for your general state of health, exercise is a great way to help your sleep problems. Try to take at least half an hour of moderate exercise a day.
What to do in the evening to help you sleep
Avoid caffeine after 6 PM - Because caffeine is a stimulant, it can be difficult to sleep if you have too much in your system. Because of this, you should avoid any food or drink containing caffeine after 6 PM.
Create a relaxing evening routine - This means winding down properly before sleep. You might enjoy a cup of herbal tea, have a relaxing bath, spend time sitting quietly and generally being restful.
Avoid alcohol directly before bedtime - The quality of sleep that you have if you have been drinking alcohol is not as good as other types of sleep. Additionally, if you have to get up during the night to go to the toilet or because you are dehydrated, this can make it more difficult to get back to sleep.
Go to bed at the same time every day - It's very important to train your body and establish a rhythm for sleeping. Just like getting up at the same time each morning, it's important to go to bed at the same time each day. This will help your subconscious mind and your body realize that it is time for sleep.
Go to bed and read - Reading can be a good way to calm the mind just before you sleep. Try to focus on books that are gentle and not too exciting!
Have a pen and paper next to the bed in case you wake up - If you wake up with thoughts during the night, having a pen and paper where you can capture them means that you won't have them going over and over in your head and hopefully will help you get back to sleep.
How to deal with sleeplessness or waking up at night
Try to get back to sleep - Don't assume that you are just going to stay awake, instead spend a few minutes trying to get back to sleep.
Hide the clock - Laying in bed and clock-watching can be very frustrating and simply reminds us of how long we've been awake. Turn your alarm clock away from you so that you can't see the time if you wake up.
Meditate and relax individual groups of muscles - Slow down your breathing, clear your mind, and focus on your breath. As you do so, tense and release individual groups of muscles in your body to help you relax.
Try deep abdominal breathing - Taking slow breaths deep into your abdomen can instill deep relaxation and help you get back to sleep.
If you can't sleep after a few minutes, get out of bed - staying in bed and not being able to sleep will just add to your frustration. If you can't sleep, don't watch the clock, get up and go somewhere and do something restful such as reading.
Medications for insomnia
There are three main types of medications that you can try:
'Natural' supplements and medications - This includes medications such as melatonin or valerian. You would be well advised to read up on the effects of these medications before trying them, and if you do so, try a small dose first. You should also consult your doctor before starting any new medications.
Over the counter sleeping pills - These are medications available from your pharmacy without a prescription. These pills can be very effective for some people and not as good for others. Speak to your pharmacist about which ones might be best for you.
Prescribed sleeping pills - Drugs such as Zolpidem, Zopiclone, and Ambien will need to be prescribed by your doctor. If you are still having significant issues with sleeping despite trying all these techniques, speak to your doctor about what solutions are available to you.
It's important to know that it's easy to become dependent on sleeping pills, and once you've been taking them for a while, you could find it very difficult to sleep without them.
Try these techniques throughout your day, in the evening, and if you wake up during the night. Build them into your routine as positive habits, and they'll help you get a full, restful night's sleep.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Stock investing strategy guide (full sample)
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Find out how putting money into various types of stocks can help you meet your investment and financial goals. This article explores how investors can use different types of investing to build wealth and make the most of their money. It includes information on the benefits, drawbacks, returns, and other aspects of investing in stocks. It covers growth investing, value investing, and income investing.
Areas of expertise
Different types of stock investing strategies
Growth stock investments
Growth investing is an approach in which you invest in companies that you believe will grow significantly. This means that the expected future performance (together with the share price) of the business will outpace the market. Growth investing is one of the riskiest types of stock investing as it is more prone to emotion and investor sentiment about a business.
Why would growth stock investing be right for you?
Growth stock will let you invest in:
New businesses that are coming into the market for the first time (via an initial public offering, or IPO).
Companies that are experiencing rapid growth due to innovations, new products, or services.
Companies that aren't necessarily leaders in their sectors or industries.
Questionable financial health - growth businesses often use debt to finance their expansion.
Growth businesses do not often pay dividends as they reinvest profits into growth.
Potentially excellent prospects.
What are the most important fundamental factors for growth investing?
These types of companies tend to meet the following criteria:
Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio - The price/earnings ratio of growth businesses tends to be fairly high, compared to their industry or sector.
Debt and equity - Growth businesses often have high debt.
Price/Earnings Growth (PEG) - Aim for a PEG that is much better than average for the industry or sector.
Earnings growth rate - You are looking for market-beating growth rates, ahead of competitors.
Return on Equity (ROE) - Return on equity might be lower than expected as more of a company's profits are reinvested for future growth.
What are some examples of growth stocks?
Growth stocks can change rapidly, but companies that have seen substantial growth in recent years include Facebook, Tesla, and Netflix. Growth stocks are often found in the tech sector.
When should you sell this type of investment?
Growth stocks are influenced more by emotion and sentiment than other types of stock. As you're not likely to be receiving an interim return via dividends, think carefully about when you want to sell the stock based on increases in the share price. Growth stocks can gain (and lose) value quickly, and you might want to lock in those gains by selling the stock once it reaches a target price.
What are your expected returns?
Growth stocks are among the most unpredictable investments. Share prices can be extremely volatile, so you'll want to keep a close eye on your stocks to lock in gains.
Growth stocks can be overvalued; they are a favorite of pundits and news channels looking for the "next big thing," so the hype level can be high.
The money you make from growth stocks will be mainly realized through gains in the share price rather than dividends. This means that you'll tend to get the best return on these stocks when you sell them.
What are the drawbacks of growth investing?
Ruled by emotion and sentiment - Growth stocks are the type of stocks that regularly make financial news for large gains and losses. They fall into and out of favor with investors are prone to being popular and then dropped quickly.
Difficult to separate fact from hype - Looking at a growth stock objectively can be difficult.
The stock price on newly launched (IPO) stocks can take a while to normalize and will often fall in value in the few months following an IPO as the euphoria fades and financial realities set in.
Remember that you should diversify your growth investing by putting money into various stocks across different industries and diversifying your portfolio with other styles of investment.
Growth stocks can be extremely volatile on a day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month basis.
Value stock investments
Find out how putting money into value stocks can help you meet your investment and financial goals. This article explores how investors can use value investing to build wealth and make the most of their money. It includes information on the benefits, drawbacks, returns, and other aspects of investing in value stocks.
Value investing is an approach that invests in unloved, undervalued businesses in the hope of making a good capital return. It tends to require more research to uncover stocks that other investors might have overlooked.
Why would value stock investing be right for you?
Value stock will let you invest in:
Businesses that are undervalued or overlooked by other investors and the market.
Companies that aren't necessarily leaders in their sectors or industries.
Reasonable financial health.
Undervalued businesses may or may not pay dividends.
Growth may be depressed or underwhelming in the short to medium term.
Good prospects.
What are the most important fundamental factors for value investing?
These types of companies tend to meet the following criteria:
Market cap - You don't tend to find many value stocks among the biggest companies; those businesses are generally well understood, with a share price to match.
Price / Earnings (P/E) ratio - The price/earnings ratio of value businesses tends to be low; they can be slow-growing, but make money over time. Remember to compare P/E within industries and sectors, as this ratio is very sensitive to the field the business operates in.
Debt and equity - You'll want to invest in value businesses that don't have enormous amounts of debt financing their growth; large debt means high interest payments, which reduces the potential value of the business.
Price / Earnings Growth (PEG) - Aim for a PEG that is better than average for the industry or sector.
Return on Investment (ROI) - Look for a return on investment that's ahead of the industry or sector average.
When should you sell this type of investment?
Like most other investments, it's best to hold value stocks for extended periods if you want to see the best returns. It's also worth comparing value stocks against their peers on a regular basis. As the markets shift, bargains can appear, so you might want to review for value stocks on a quarterly or annual basis.
What are your expected returns?
Value stocks are among the more unpredictable investments. These stocks might have low share prices for a reason, so do your research carefully.
The money you make from value stocks will be mainly realized through gains in the share price, rather than dividends. This means that you'll tend to get the best return on these stocks when you sell them.
What are the drawbacks of value investing?
Value investing is inherently riskier than other types of investing, as it assumes that you know something about a company's value that others don't.
Remember that you should diversify your value investing by putting money into various stocks across different industries and diversifying your portfolio with other styles of investment.
Income stock investments
Find out how putting money into income stocks can help you meet your investment and financial goals. This article explores how investors can use income investing to build wealth and make the most of their money. It includes information on the benefits, drawbacks, returns, and other aspects of investing in income stocks.
Income investing is an investment approach that puts your money into businesses that pay a reliable, above-average dividend. It focuses more on the interim returns (dividends) that you get through the life of your investment, rather than capital growth in the share price.
Why would income stock investing be right for me?
Income stock will let you invest in:
Businesses with a good profit margin that pay higher-than-average dividends.
Robust financial health with good revenues and earnings.
A proven history and safe prospects.
What are the most important fundamental factors for income investing?
These types of companies tend to meet the following criteria:
Revenue - A healthy income; good dividend payers tend to have healthy, reliable revenues.
Market cap - Income stocks can be large, mid or small cap; it's the dividend yield that matters more than the overall size of the company.
Earnings and growth - Good profitability with reliable or slightly above-average year-on-year growth.
Dividend yield - A higher-than-average dividend yield; you're aiming for a minimum of 3-3.5%.
Earnings Per Share (EPS) - Ahead of or level with their competitors.
Return on Investment (ROI) - Ahead of their competitors.
What are some examples of income stocks?
High dividend-paying stocks include AT&T, Chevron, GlaxoSmithKline, Rio Tinto, Duke Energy, and Las Vegas Sands.
When should you sell this type of investment?
The purpose of income stocks is to provide you with a reliable cash flow via dividend payments, year after year. Unless you have a pressing need to sell these stocks, you can keep investments in income shares indefinitely and enjoy the income from the dividends.
What are your expected returns?
Stocks vary significantly in performance, depending on the company, industry, sector, and other market values.
Investments in income stocks are meant to produce dividend returns ahead of the market average.
Because you're likely to hold these stocks for an extended period, most of your realized income will be from dividend payments rather than capital gains.
What are the drawbacks of quality investing?
You should not invest in these types of businesses over the short or medium term as it is possible you will lose money.
Remember that you should diversify your investments by putting money into various stocks across different industries and diversifying your portfolio with other styles of investment.
Like any stock market investment, income stocks can be volatile on a day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month basis.
How do you invest in growth, value, or income stocks?
You can easily invest directly into various types of stock through your online broker account.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Recovering from gastric bypass (bariatric) surgery
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Gastric bypass or bariatric surgery is a technique used to help patients deal with issues relating to weight, obesity and related conditions. This article explores what patients can expect when recovering from gastric bypass surgery including recovery times, side-effects and what is involved in the procedure.
Areas of expertise
Every year, around 200,000 people in the United States elect to have gastric bypass surgery. This type of surgery uses several different methods and procedures to help patients control issues with weight, appetite and eating. These surgical techniques are collectively known as bariatric surgery. In this article we'll explore what patients can expect when they are recovering from gastric bypass surgery.
The intent behind gastric bypass and other bariatric surgery is to reduce the ability of the stomach to accept food, normally by reducing the size of the stomach. Various surgical techniques have been developed to accomplish this, but the most common type of bariatric surgery works as follows:
The surgeon creates a small pouch in the stomach that limits the amount of food a patient can eat.
A larger part of the stomach is partitioned to prevent food being digested there.
The gastrointestinal tract is connected to the new part of the stomach.
Following the surgery, the typical recovery of patients is as follows:
Patients spend two to five days in hospital.
They will be able to get up and walk around after a couple of days.
They will be able to return to light work and activities after three to four weeks.
They will be able to return to normal work and activities after around four to six weeks.
Complete recovery in two to four months.
If a patient has had laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for their gastric bypass, recovery times and the trauma of recovery are significantly lessened. A patient can speed their recovery by performing gentle exercises and other activities, following consultation with a doctor or other specialist.
Typical effects from the surgery include:
Discomfort and pain from the surgery.
Significant changes in appetite.
Nausea and other feelings of being unwell.
Insomnia and tiredness.
Weakness.
Mood swings and changes to emotional state.
Changes to the digestive system.
Gastric bypass surgery is very effective at treating issues with eating, appetite and weight control. Significant reductions in a person's weight and associated medical conditions are normal for the majority of patients.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Recovery after appendectomy surgery for appendicitis (full sample)
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If a patient has signs of appendicitis or a similar condition, an appendectomy will be needed to remove the appendix. Appendectomy surgery is a straightforward procedure, and in this article we'll explore the two main methods of surgery, recovery times and what the patient can expect from the operation.
Areas of expertise
An appendectomy is surgery carried out to remove a blocked, inflamed or otherwise damaged appendix. This type of surgery is necessary if a patient has or is likely to develop appendicitis. The procedure is often performed at short notice as emergency surgery to prevent more dangerous problems from occurring. In this article we'll explore the typical recovery process from appendectomy surgery.
The appendix is a small organ attached to the large intestine, though its function is still poorly understood. Appendicitis is a relatively common condition that happens when the appendix becomes inflamed or blocked. If left untreated, the appendix can burst, creating potentially life-threatening issues for the patient due to the risk of internal infection. Because of this, if appendicitis is diagnosed, the appendix needs to be removed.
There are two types of surgery that can be used to remove an appendix:
Open surgery - This is where the surgeon will make a two to three inch incision in the patient's abdomen. They will then find the appendix, remove it and suture the internal and external wound.
Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery - The surgeon will make several small incisions in the abdomen and insert a camera and some very fine surgical instruments attached to tubes. They will then use the camera to locate the appendix and use the instruments to remove it and suture the wound.
Keyhole surgery is generally much less traumatic for the patient and can sometimes even be completed without the patient requiring an overnight stay. Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery performed.
Open surgery
The patient will normally require a hospital stay of two to three days following the operation.
They will be able to get up and move around after one to two days.
They will experience discomfort for several weeks following the operation.
They will be able to return to light activities and gentle work after three to four weeks.
They will be able to return to normal activities after four to six weeks.
Keyhole surgery
The patient will sometimes need to stay in the hospital overnight but may have the procedure as an outpatient.
They will be able to get up and move around after eight to twelve hours.
They will experience discomfort for a couple of weeks following the operation.
They will be able to return to light activities and gentle work after a couple of weeks.
They will be able to return to normal activities after two to four weeks.
If you suspect that you may be suffering from appendicitis or have significant abdominal pain, it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. An appendectomy is a straightforward procedure and early diagnosis and treatment will mean that you will make a full recovery.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Rhabdomyolysis: Causes, symptoms, and treatment (full sample)
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About this content
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious medical condition that occurs when muscle fibers break down, releasing toxic substances into the bloodstream. These substances can cause damage to the kidneys, leading to renal failure. This article explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment of rhabdomyolysis, including what patients can expect from their recovery.
Areas of expertise
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition caused when muscle fibers break down rapidly and produce chemicals that enter the bloodstream. This can be dangerous as some of these substances, especially proteins, can be damaging to the kidneys. When the kidneys filter the blood, the substances from the muscle breakdown can cause renal failure which can be extremely serious and requires immediate medical attention.
Causes of rhabdomyolysis
There are several factors that can cause this condition, including:
Diseases of the muscular system.
Intense straining of the muscles, e.g. after exercise.
Crushing injuries, e.g. being trapped underneath a falling object.
Physical abuse or violence.
Some recreational drugs or prescription drugs, e.g. statins.
Overuse of alcohol.
Electric shocks, burns, and other significant physical trauma.
Heat stroke or high body temperature.
Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis
The symptoms of this condition vary according to how severe it is and whether it has caused renal failure or not. Symptoms can include:
Pain, tenderness, and swelling of the muscles.
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
Dark-colored urine.
Decreased or absent urine production.
A blood test can definitively diagnose rhabdomyolysis.
Treatment of rhabdomyolysis
If a person is suffering from these symptoms, it is vital that they be diagnosed and treated urgently. Treatment focuses on preventing further renal damage, helping renal function recover, and reducing the impact of shock or other complications on the patient. Typical treatments include:
Intravenous fluids to maintain a regular flow of liquid to the kidneys and renal system, typically between 6 to 12 liters over a 24-hour period.
Flushing out the kidneys to remove the muscle matter and other chemicals.
Correction of electrolyte levels and other abnormal chemicals in the blood such as potassium. This can be achieved with a variety of medications including calcium and insulin.
Renal replacement therapy such as dialysis.
Recovery from rhabdomyolysis
Provided that the condition is diagnosed early and treatment is started immediately, most patients will make a complete recovery from the condition, so long as renal failure does not occur. Renal failure adds significant complications and can reduce the chances of a full recovery and greatly increase recovery times.
In closing
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious medical condition. With the proper level of medical care and treatment, patients can make a recovery over a period of one to three months, assuming that renal failure has not occurred. If renal failure has occurred, damage to the kidneys could be permanent, requiring dialysis and other treatment over the long term.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Gallbladder keyhole surgery: How it works and recovery (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on gallstones and how they can be dealt with by using gallbladder keyhole surgery.
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Keyhole surgery to remove a gallbladder is a common surgical procedure, designed to minimize the discomfort and risks to a patient and is often needed if other options to deal with gallstones have been exhausted. In this article we'll explore what happens during the procedure and what a patient can expect as they recover.
Areas of expertise
Gallbladder Keyhole Surgery - How it Works and Recovery
Gallstones can be a relatively common problem in older men and women. Although they do not always present with symptoms and are often treatable without surgery, sometimes more drastic intervention is required. In these cases, the gallbladder will need to be removed and the least traumatic way of doing this is through keyhole surgery.
How keyhole surgery works
Keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy and works as follows:
The patient is anesthetized.
Small incisions are made in a patient's abdomen by a surgeon.
Plastic tubes called ports are inserted into these incisions.
A camera and various surgical instruments are inserted through the ports into the patient's abdomen.
The surgeon uses the camera to locate the gallbladder.
They then use the other instruments to remove it and internally suture the site.
They remove the camera and instruments and suture the incisions.
The patient is moved to a recovery room to wake up.
This type of surgery is designed to cause the minimum amount of pain, discomfort, risk or complications for the patient.
Advantages of keyhole gallbladder surgery
The advantages of this type of surgery are:
Less pain following the operation.
Minimal internal and external scarring.
Faster postoperative recovery.
Less risk of complications from infections, blood loss or other factors (less than a 2% risk).
A shorter stay in the hospital.
Recovering from keyhole gallbladder surgery
Patients can have this type of surgery as part of a very short hospital stay of one or two days.
They can expect to be sore after the operation for around a week (compared to three to six weeks for traditional, open surgery).
Patients should be able to return to light work and other mild activity after about a week.
Patients should be able to return to normal activities in about two to four weeks.
In closing
Keyhole gallbladder surgery is the least invasive way to remove the gallbladder and may be recommended if a patient suffers from significant pain or other issues due to gallstones. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a straightforward procedure and patients will normally be able to leave hospital in a day or two and make a full recovery in less than a month.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Angioplasty: What's involved, recovery, lifestyle changes (full sample)
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Angioplasty is surgery carried out to reduce or remove fatty deposits on the inner walls of veins or arteries. Left untreated, these deposits can cause blockages, resulting in a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening condition. Fortunately, angioplasty is a relatively straightforward procedure. In this article we look what it involves, recovery from the surgery, and longer-term lifestyle changes to reduce a patient's risk factors.
Areas of expertise
Angioplasty is a surgical procedure that is carried out to clear blockages or the possibility of blockages from veins or arteries. Blockages can occur because fatty deposits including cholesterol or other plaques can build up on the inside walls of a blood vessel. If left untreated, this can result in a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening medical condition. Because of this, angioplasty is often required very urgently.
How angioplasty surgery is performed
Surgery is carried out as follows:
An incision is made in a patient's body.
A very thin tube with a deflated balloon on the end is inserted into the affected vein or artery.
The surgeon locates the area where there is a thickening of the artery walls, normally via a camera.
The balloon is inserted into this area, between the walls of the blood vessel.
Water is forced into the balloon, inflating it.
The pressure of the balloon on the fatty deposits compresses them against the sides of the blood vessel, making it easier for blood to flow.
The balloon is deflated and removed.
Optionally, a stent may be inserted into the vein or artery; this can be used if there is a risk of future collapse or blockage of the affected site.
The incision is sutured.
Recovering from angioplasty surgery
Following the operation, the patient will be moved to a specialist medical care unit where they can be observed. They will probably need to stay there a few hours or overnight and will need to lay still to give the blood vessel time to heal properly.
After another few hours, the patient will be allowed to move around slowly and assuming that there are no further complications will be discharged from the hospital.
A patient will receive a list of instructions from their doctor on what they need to do when they get home. This will include information on appropriate exercises, medication, looking for signs of infection, and when to follow-up with a doctor.
Recovery times vary from person to person. Most patients will make a fairly rapid recovery and will be able to return to light work within about a week of leaving the hospital.
Most patients will make a full recovery within about two to four weeks of the operation.
Longer-term lifestyle changes
Patients should also make longer-term lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of future plaque building up in their veins or arteries:
Exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
Avoid foods that are high in fat or overly processed.
Regularly monitor cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels down.
Not smoking.
These lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and will promote a longer and healthier life.
In closing
Although angioplasty is often an emergency medical treatment, patients should make a full and rapid recovery following the procedure. Combining recovery from the surgery with changes to lifestyle will help ensure that patients can continue to enjoy their lives.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Radiation pneumonitis: Symptoms, facts, treatment, and recovery
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on radiation pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs that can occur following radiotherapy of the chest area for cancer.
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About this content
Radiation pneumonitis is an inflammation of the lungs that can occur following radiotherapy of the chest area for cancer. In this article, we explore how and why radiation pneumonitis occurs, the symptoms of the condition, how it can be treated and other useful facts for sufferers.
Areas of expertise
Radiation pneumonitis is a type of radiation-induced lung injury, which can result from radiation treatment (radiotherapy) of the chest area. Radiation treatment is used to reduce and eliminate cancer tumors in the chest, breast, lungs or other organs.
Because radiation also affects normal cells as well as cancerous ones, the normal cells can become inflamed. When this happens to cells in the lungs, they can produce fluid which leads to radiation pneumonitis. This condition does not often present while a patient is receiving radiotherapy, but typically manifests a few weeks or several months after the radiotherapy is completed.
Patients with radiation pneumonitis may not feel unwell or show any outward symptoms, and the pneumonitis is often diagnosed by chest x-rays taken to identify if the cancer has been removed.
Symptoms of radiation pneumonitis
Symptoms of the condition typically include:
Shortness of breath, especially after physical activity.
Difficulty breathing or pain in the chest area.
Fever and raised temperature.
Coughing.
Other facts about radiation pneumonitis
The condition occurs in around 5% to 15% of patients who have radiation treatment of the chest area.
Radiation pneumonitis is most common after treatment for lung cancer, although it can also present following radiotherapy for lymphomas, breast cancer or other thoracic cancers.
It is often identified by an increase in white blood cell count.
Symptoms could occur as much as one to six months following radiotherapy.
The likelihood and severity of the condition depends partly on the amount of radiation used and the areas affected by the initial radiotherapy treatment.
Provided radiation pneumonitis is diagnosed and treated quickly, most patients will fully recover from the condition.
Symptoms normally arise between one and six months after the completion of radiation therapy, depending on the strength (dosage) of radiation therapy used and how widespread the treatment was. As long as radiation pneumonitis is treated quickly, most people can make a full recovery with no long-term effects.
Treatment of radiation pneumonitis
The condition is treated through medication, normally steroids or other medications that reduce inflammation; this includes cortisone drugs such as prednisone. The condition can normally be treated effectively. If left untreated, the condition can develop into pulmonary fibrosis, which is a permanent scarring of the lungs. If this occurs, a patient's lung capacity can be severely diminished.
In closing
If you have had to undergo radiotherapy treatment, pay close attention to any possible symptoms of radiation pneumonitis. If you start to experience symptoms, speak to your specialist as soon as possible; with early diagnosis and treatment you can make a full recovery.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Effective treatments for gallstones (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on gallstones, a common medical problem, especially for people over the age of forty.
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Gallstones are a common medical problem, especially for people over the age of 40. Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatments that can treat gallstones. In this article, we'll explore what causes gallstones and find out about the available treatment options.
Areas of expertise
Gallstones are a relatively common medical complaint. They are caused by a buildup of substances in the gallbladder and can cause some pain and discomfort if left untreated. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to treat gallstones and in this article we'll explore the most common techniques.
What causes gallstones?
Bile is a substance naturally produced by the liver to aid digestion. Gallstones are the result of some of the substances in the bile forming together into clumps. These insoluble chemicals can include calcium, cholesterol and bilirubin.
These clumps, or gallstones, typically form in the gallbladder itself, just below the liver, although they can also form in the bile duct. The medical name for stones located in the gallbladder is cholecystolithiasis whereas the term for stones in the bile duct is choledocholithiasis.
How common are gallstones?
After the age of 40, gallstones become more common, with about a fifth of women and a tenth of men having the condition. Around 80% of people with gallstones may not even be aware that they have the condition as they will not feel any pain or have any other symptoms.
Fortunately, if gallstones do not cause discomfort, they do not need to be treated as they are otherwise harmless and will probably go away by themselves. If someone with gallstones does start to experience pain then they should see a doctor as the gallstones may need to be treated to avoid further complications.
What treatments are available for gallstones?
There are several techniques that can be used to treat gallstones.
Wait and see if the gallstones go away by themselves - Although having gallstones can be painful, they will often dissolve and go away by themselves in 30-50% of cases. In most of these cases, the patient will not have a recurrence, so no further treatment is needed. If it is a patient's first incident of gallstones, many doctors will choose not to do anything other than prescribe pain medication, preferring to see if the issue resolves itself.
Using a bile salt to dissolve the stones - Patients can take bile salt medications, typically the drug Actigall (ursodiol). In some cases, gallstones could take months or years to dissolve completely and recurrence of gallstones is common if the patient stops taking the drug.
Shock-wave therapy to dissolve the stones - A specialist can use dedicated equipment that produces sound-waves to break down and dissolve the gallstones.
Contact dissolution surgery - A surgeon will insert a tube through the abdomen, into the gallbladder. They can then inject a drug to dissolve the gallstones directly through the tube. This can break gallstones down quickly.
Removal of the gallbladder - If a person's gallstone problem is persistent and painful, or their gallstones cause other complications, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder. This is an extremely common procedure and although a person may need to make changes to their diet following the surgery, they can lead a full and healthy life without a gallbladder.
In closing
Gallstones and the symptoms they cause are very common. Fortunately, there are a number of well-developed techniques for dealing with them. If you suspect you may be suffering from gallstones, your doctor will be able to work with you to help you decide on the most effective treatment.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Popliteal aneurysm surgery: What it is, how it works, recovery (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on popliteal aneurysm surgery, a surgical procedure carried out on the artery that supplies blood to the leg.
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A popliteal aneurysm is caused due to a weakening of the walls of the popliteal artery which supplies blood to the legs. In this article, we explore what a popliteal aneurysm is, how it is diagnosed, what the surgery involves, likely recovery times and possible complications.
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Popliteal aneurysm surgery or PAS is a surgical procedure carried out on the artery that supplies blood to the legs. In this article we'll explore what's involved in PAS, what you can expect, possible complications and expected recovery times.
What is a popliteal aneurysm?
A popliteal aneurysm occurs due to the weakening of the wall of the popliteal artery, which supplies blood to the thigh, knee and calf. When the artery wall weakens, this causes a bulge in the artery, known as an aneurysm. If left untreated, the aneurysm can burst, leaking blood into the surrounding leg tissue. This can become a life-threatening condition for several reasons:
Internal bleeding from the artery, resulting in significant blood loss and low blood pressure.
Blood not being supplied to the leg, meaning the limb is not receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function.
Blood clots forming in the artery and surrounding areas; these blood clots can cause a blockage in the circulatory system or a stroke if they reach the brain.
For these reasons, surgery is an urgent requirement as soon as an aneurysm is detected.
How are popliteal aneurysms diagnosed?
A popliteal aneurysm may be detected during a routine exam by a doctor or occasionally as a result of localized pain or weakness in the leg, especially behind the knee or in the foot. If a doctor suspects a popliteal aneurysm, they will request an ultrasound exam of the affected area. This exam will confirm if there is an aneurysm or any blood clots.
How is popliteal aneurysm surgery performed?
PAS is normally a low-risk procedure and the repairs made during the surgery are often long-lasting and durable. During the procedure, a surgeon will:
Make an incision in the leg close to the site of the aneurysm.
Repair the aneurysm by using another section of a patient's vein or an artificial artery substitute; this is known as a bypass.
Ensure that blood is flowing correctly following the repair.
Suture the incision site.
What is the recovery time from this type of surgery?
Depending on the patient, recovery times can vary. Typical recovery times are:
A hospital stay of three to five days after the operation.
Walking with assistance after three to five days.
Removal of sutures or staples after seven to ten days.
Light walking activities and exercise after two to three weeks.
Normal walking activities and exercise after four to six weeks.
Are there likely to be any risks or complications as a result of PAS?
If the artery was completely blocked, recovery can be much more prolonged and could take several weeks to several months.
Recovery times can also be impacted by a patient's level of fitness, lifestyle, nutrition and several other factors.
Most patients will not need crutches as a result of the surgery.
In closing
If you believe that you may be suffering from a popliteal aneurysm, you should be examined by your doctor as soon as possible. Providing that it is identified and treated early, a popliteal aneurysm need not have any ongoing or long-term impact on a patient's quality of life.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Blood alcohol content, what it means, and its impact (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article that explores the main topics around blood alcohol levels including a guide to the behavior of people with different concentrations of alcohol in their systems.
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It is important to understand the impact that alcohol can have on your body, and one way of doing this is through the blood alcohol level or how much alcohol is present in a person's blood. This article explores the main topics around blood alcohol levels including a guide to the behavior of people with different concentrations of alcohol in their systems.
Areas of expertise
Many people enjoy a drink, and whether it's beer in a bar with your friends, a glass of wine with dinner, or a cocktail on a sunny day, responsible drinking is a normal part of people's lives. The amount of alcohol that we have in our body at a specific time can be measured through something called blood alcohol level, and this article explores what that means and the effect that it can have.
Simply put, an individual's blood alcohol level measures the percentage of alcohol (ethanol) in a person's blood. This level is increased by the alcoholic drinks a person consumes and is reduced by time as a person's body (especially the liver) cleanses the blood and removes the alcohol.
Factors that affect someone's blood alcohol level
The following factors affect the amount of alcohol in a person's body:
The number of alcoholic drinks they have had.
The amount of alcohol consumed in each drink (i.e., the strength and amount of drink consumed).
The length of time the drinks have been consumed over.
How long it has been since the person stopped drinking.
The person's weight.
The speed of a person's metabolism.
The person's gender.
Because there are so many factors to take into account, it is difficult to accurately predict how consuming a specific amount of alcohol will affect an individual without directly measuring their blood alcohol level.
Despite this, there are some rough estimates that can be made; for example: a man weighing 160 lbs can expect to increase his blood alcohol level by roughly 0.02 for every drink he has. In this instance a drink would be considered one shot of liquor or spirits, one glass of wine or one can or bottle of beer.
How blood alcohol levels are measured
There are a few ways to measure blood alcohol levels, two of the more popular are through breathalyzer tests and drawing and testing an individual's blood.
Breathalyzer - A breathalyzer is a small instrument carried by law enforcement officials that can provide a fast and relatively accurate measurement of a person's blood alcohol level. It does this by getting a sample of exhaled breath from a person and performing analysis to find out how concentrated the alcohol is in the exhalation. It is then able to estimate the level of alcohol in a person's blood and if they are legally fit to drive.
Drawing and testing blood - Blood can also be drawn from a person and sent to a lab for blood alcohol level testing. This provides a very accurate result on the alcohol in a person's system and is often completed as a follow-up to a breathalyzer test.
The effects of different blood alcohol levels on an individual
Please note that the blood alcohol levels below and the number of drinks shown next to each are approximate and should not be taken as a guide to how much a specific individual could drink to reach that particular blood alcohol level. Everyone is different and it is important to understand your own tolerance to alcohol and to moderate your drinking accordingly.
Blood alcohol level of 0.0 (equivalent to no drinks)
This alcohol level indicates that there is no alcohol in a person's system and that they are acting, reacting and behaving normally.
Blood alcohol level of 0.01-0.029 (roughly equivalent to one drink)
With this low level of alcohol, an average person will appear normal and specialized testing would probably be required to find out if they had consumed any alcohol as there are unlikely to be any physical or behavioral signs.
Blood alcohol level of 0.03-0.059 (roughly equivalent to two to three drinks)
At this level, the effects of alcohol are more apparent. Individuals with this level of intoxication are likely to experience relaxation, joyful feelings, a reduction in their inhibitions, talkativeness and difficulty with concentration. In many parts of Europe, people cannot legally drive a car with a blood alcohol level of higher than 0.05.
Blood alcohol level of 0.06-0.09 (roughly equivalent to three to four drinks)
With concentrations of this level, the effects of alcohol consumption are more pronounced. Individuals will feel more disinhibited and extroverted. They may well have problems with perception, especially depth perception and seeing things in their peripheral vision. They will also encounter problems with reasoning. In the UK and the US, people cannot legally drive a car with a blood alcohol level of higher than 0.08.
Blood alcohol level of 0.1-0.19 (roughly equivalent to four to six drinks)
At this level, individuals are becoming very inebriated. Typical behaviors include boisterousness and mischief-making, a decreased sex-drive, over-expression, and possibly anger or sadness. People will start to see significant issues with reflexes, hand-eye coordination and motor control and may experience staggering and slurred speech. It is also possible that people with a low tolerance for alcohol may experience temporary alcohol poisoning.
Blood alcohol level of 0.2-0.29 (roughly equivalent to six to eight drinks)
Individuals with blood alcohol levels above 0.2 are becoming significantly intoxicated. With this much alcohol in their system, people have the possibility of falling into a stupor or falling unconscious, they will have loss of understanding and awareness of their surroundings, impaired sensations and memory blackout.
Blood alcohol level of 0.3-0.39 (roughly equivalent to eight to ten drinks)
At this blood alcohol level, the amount of alcohol in a person's system is becoming dangerous. They may experience a depression of their central nervous system, likely unconsciousness, problems with their bladder function and their breathing. At this level, there is a risk of death to individuals with poor alcohol tolerance, due to interference with the heart rhythm, breathing and other bodily functions.
Blood alcohol level of 0.4 to 0.5 (roughly equivalent to ten to twelve drinks)
Individuals with this amount of alcohol in their blood should receive medical assistance as there is a significant risk to life with blood alcohol concentrations this high. At this level, there is a general lack of responsiveness and behavior from a person, they may experience a seriously depressed nervous system, there is a significant risk of alcohol poisoning and vital bodily functions may be disrupted.
Blood alcohol level of 0.5 or higher (roughly equivalent to twelve drinks or more)
At this level, an individual is at severe and immediate risk of alcohol poisoning and death. They must receive medical attention as soon as possible.
Reducing blood alcohol level
There are several ways for an individual to manage and reduce their blood alcohol level:
Reduce the amount of alcohol that they drink through alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks.
Slowing down their consumption of alcoholic drinks.
Consuming alcoholic drinks with a lower alcohol by volume measurement.
Drinking over a longer period of time (a person's blood alcohol level drops by 0.01 after every 40 minutes or so).
Note that caffeine, food, fresh air and the like are not effective ways of reducing blood alcohol levels.
In closing
Alcohol can be a perfectly normal part of an individual's life and in moderation can be a good addition to a social gathering. It is important to know your own limits and controlling your alcohol intake will ensure that you can enjoy your drinks in a safe, secure and responsible way.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on arthritis including the differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Illnesses that affect joints are known as rheumatic diseases and two of the most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In this article we explore the main differences between the two conditions and how they can affect patients.
Areas of expertise
The range of illnesses that affect the limbs and joints are known as rheumatic diseases, and there are more than one hundred different types. Among these conditions, two of the most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Despite both being rheumatic diseases, they differ substantially from each other.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The specific cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, although scientists believe it is caused when the immune system of the patient malfunctions and attacks their own body; this is known as an autoimmune disease. These attacks most often affect an individual's hands and feet and unlike most other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis tends to attack both sides of the body at once, in a symmetrical fashion.
Osteoarthritis
This illness most often affects older people and is a degenerative joint condition. It occurs because the cartilage that cushions and protects the bones in the joints wears out, allowing the bones to rub together. This can cause substantial discomfort for the patient.
Other differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis include:
Rheumatoid arthritis could occur at any time in a person's life, whereas older people are the main age group that suffers from osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis slowly worsens over the course of several years, whereas rheumatoid arthritis can strike swiftly, over weeks and months.
Osteoarthritis makes joints tender with little swelling while rheumatoid arthritis aggravates joints, making them swollen, stiff and painful.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a person to feel generally unwell, whereas the symptoms of osteoarthritis are limited to the affected joints.
The cause of osteoarthritis is normally a joint wearing out due to repetitive stress and use of joints, or as the result of an accident or injury. It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis is generally caused by genetic predisposition and triggering events, although no specific cause has been found.
Osteoarthritis affects just over 20 million people in the United States, with rheumatoid arthritis affecting just over 2 million people.
In closing
If you believe that you may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, it is vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible to get diagnosed and begin treatment. Identifying the disease early and starting on a medical plan is the most effective way to preserve your quality of life.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
Side-effects of intravenous Solu-Medrol treatment (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on Intravenous Solu-Medrol treatment, a medical procedure used to deal with several conditions and illnesses.
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Intravenous Solu-Medrol, or IVSM, is a medical procedure used to deal with several conditions and illnesses. Although IVSM can be effective in treating and managing certain conditions, its side effects can be challenging. In this article we look at what patients can expect as a result of IVSM treatment and provide suggestions and advice on how to deal with the side-effects.
Areas of expertise
Intravenous Solu-Medrol (IVSM) is a technique used to help sufferers of various illnesses, such as inflammation and allergies, manage their conditions. IVSM treatment involves injecting high doses of glucocorticoid steroids, specifically methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol®) via an intravenous line. IVSM is often used to treat acute flare-ups of certain conditions, and although it can be effective in helping sufferers deal with their illnesses, the side effects of the treatment itself can be difficult to deal with. In this article we'll explore some of the methods that patients can use to minimize and control the side effects and discomfort caused by IVSM.
Conditions treated by IVSM
Some of the conditions and illnesses that can be treated by IVSM include:
Blood disorders and diseases.
Cancers of various types.
Serious allergic reactions.
Some eye conditions.
Some diseases of the skin, intestines, lungs or kidneys.
Immune system disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
IVSM works by reducing the response of a patient's immune system to various diseases, resulting in a beneficial lessening of pain and swelling.
Managing the side effects of IVSM
The side effects from IVSM are many and varied and will be individual to the patient being treated. The following techniques can be used to minimize the problems and discomfort caused by IVSM.
Finding veins for an IV line - If your nurse is finding it difficult to locate a vein into which to insert an IV needle, make sure to drink plenty of fluids beforehand. Being well hydrated will make it easier to see a vein and insert an IV needle.
Dealing with headaches as a result of IVSM - If you regularly suffer with headaches due to IVSM, speak to your nurse about slowing down your IVSM treatment. For example, if you normally take your IVSM over 90 minutes, you might want to take it over two hours. This can reduce the likelihood of headaches.
Reducing anxiety - Using IVSM can cause patients to feel hyper-alert and anxious because of the stress that the medication itself can cause. As a result, it's important to rest and reduce sensory stimulation after an IVSM treatment.
Managing heartburn, acid reflux or digestive pain - IVSM can increase digestive acid production, resulting in discomfort. Taking Zantac or other antacid medications as directed by your physician will help control and reduce the effects of digestive acid.
Dealing with a horrible taste in the mouth - Use of IVSM can leave some patients with a metallic taste in their mouth. Drinking grape juice, sucking on mints or hard candies can help to reduce these tastes.
Coping with feelings of hunger - Healthy, potassium-rich foods can help a patient deal with the hunger pangs that are often caused by IVSM. Bananas, apricots, beets and beans can all reduce these feelings of hunger due to their high potassium content.
Getting to sleep - IVSM can cause insomnia. Find out if you can be prescribed insomnia medication, for example Zolpidem or Ambien for the short-term to help deal with this.
Living with mood-swings, depression or anxiety - Some of the more common side effects associated with IVSM are depression, anxiety and mood-swings. If you are experiencing any of these, first speak with your family and friends and get some support from them. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe some short-term anti-anxiety medication.
Coping with a weakened immune system - Because IVSM does weaken the immune system and puts your body under stress, you may be more susceptible to infection. If you start to suffer from a cough, cold or fever, talk to a physician.
In closing
IVSM is very much the lesser of two evils. Although it can help manage and treat various conditions, its side effects can be very challenging. When you understand how IVSM will affect you, you can take steps to minimize it’s impact on you and make it easier to deal with.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.
TENS units and how they can help you manage pain (full sample)
Copy editing and proofreading of an article on TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation devices and how they use low voltage electricity to provide temporary relief to muscular pain.
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About this content
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices use low voltage electricity to provide temporary relief for muscular pain. These devices are readily available from pharmacies and can provide relief from mild muscular discomfort. This article explains how the TENS unit works and the benefits people can expect to experience.
Areas of expertise
A TENS unit is a small electrical device that stimulates muscles and nerves via electrical impulses to help the user manage his or her pain and discomfort. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and the device functions as follows:
The patient attaches wires to the battery-powered TENS unit.
The other end of the wires attach to pads that conduct electricity.
These pads are applied to the body over the affected area, normally using a gel for good conductivity.
The TENS unit is turned on; the strength and rate of the electrical pulses can be easily altered.
A typical TENS treatments lasts for between 10 and 30 minutes.
The pads are then removed and cleaned.
Pain relief typically lasts for two to three hours.
The experience of using a TENS unit is not uncomfortable, since it only uses low voltage impulses to stimulate the nerves and muscles. A patient will feel a tingling or slightly stronger sensation, but it does not hurt. The pulses that the TENS machine produces are typically either quite rapid (more than 40 or 50 per second) or quite slow (5 to 10 per second).
The principle behind using a TENS unit is that the electrical impulses alternately stimulate and relax muscles around the affected area. Among other benefits this can promote relaxation in the muscles and promote blood flow to stimulate healing.
TENS units are most effective at treating mild sprains, pulls, aches and pains, including low-grade chronic pain in muscles and can provide relief for several hours. It is often useful to combine TENS treatments with standard pain-reducing anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. The best time to use TENS is in the mid to late evening, prior to sleep to make it easier to fall asleep if you have pain.
TENS units should not be used on the front of the neck, on the chest if you have a pacemaker, through the chest (i.e., pads placed on both your chest and back), close to open wounds or directly over the spinal column.
TENS treatment is not very effective for acute or substantial pain, which should always be referred to a doctor or other medical specialist.
Content originally written by Paul Maplesden, a freelance writer, and edited by me.